What is the Scientific Name of Tulsi?

Oct 4, 2025, 19:34 IST

The Scientific name of tulsi is formally known as Ocimum tenuiflorum, though the synonym Ocimum sanctum is also widely used, referring to the revered holy basil. Discover more about its classification, scientific name, and origin.

Scientific name of Tulsi
Scientific name of Tulsi

Scientific name of Tulsi: Walk into any traditional Indian home, and chances are you’ll spot a lovely, aromatic herb thriving in the courtyard or on a balcony. We're talking about Tulsi, or Holy Basil. It's not just a plant you see in gardens; it's also a powerful cultural and medicinal plant. 

Beyond its sacred status, this plant has been the go-to home remedy for centuries. If you’re a student, a curious health enthusiast, or just someone who’s started keeping a Tulsi plant at home, you might have wondered about its formal identity. 

After all, what do scientists call this “Queen of Herbs”? The global embrace of traditional remedies is soaring, and with the recent research confirming its role in wellness, the botanical details matter now more than ever. Let's find out more about Tulsi's scientific name, how it is classified, and why its botanical name is so important.

What is the Scientific Name of the Tulsi?

The scientific name for tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum. Some people call it "sacred basil," which shows how important it is to the soul. Carl Linnaeus came up with binomial nomenclature, which is a two-part Latin naming system that this name follows. People all over the world can talk to each other more easily when each species has a different name. 

The first word (Ocimum) is the Genus (a group of closely related species), and the second word (tenuiflorum) is the species name. This makes sure that botanists and researchers all over the world are always talking about the same plant, no matter what the local name is, like tulasi or holy basil.

tulsi scientific name

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What is the Family of Tulsi?

The tulsi plant is part of the Lamiaceae family. The mint or deadnettle family is the official family name of Tulsi. This large and diverse family is famous for containing many fragrant herbs, including other well-known culinary and medicinal plants.

Classification Rank

Tulsi (Holy Basil) Data

Historical/Factual Note

Kingdom

Plantae

All plants, algae, and similar photosynthetic organisms.

Order

Lamiales

An order of flowering plants; includes mints, olives, and plantains.

Family

Lamiaceae

Known as the "mint family," characterized by square stems and aromatic oils.

Genus

Ocimum

Also includes common basil (Ocimum basilicum).

Species

O. tenuiflorum

The specific epithet meaning "slender-flowered."

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Origin and Distribution of the Tulsi Plant 

Tulsi is a plant that grows naturally in the tropical and subtropical parts of Southeast Asia and is native to India. Ayurvedic medicine has used it for more than 3,000 years, so it has a long history. It is grown all over the world now, but it is most common in India and other parts of Southeast Asia. 

It's hard to pick out just one "largest producer" because so many people grow plants at home, and farming is spread out, but India is still the center of the world for traditional use and commercial production of essential oils and herbal products.

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In the end, knowing the scientific name of Tulsi, Ocimum tenuiflorum, does more than just satisfy your curiosity; it gives you a standard to use. This standardization is very important for making more of it and learning more about it all over the world. It makes sure that people in the future will be able to enjoy the amazing, stress-relieving, and immune-boosting benefits of this holy herb for a long time.

Harshita Singh
Harshita Singh

Senior Content Writer

Harshita Singh specializes in US affairs and general knowledge, simplifying intricate geopolitical and historical subjects into clear, digestible insights for learners. Holding a BA (Hons) in English from the University of Delhi and with over three years of experience in educational writing, she produces authoritative, thoroughly researched content that empowers readers to engage confidently with global current affairs. For inquiries, you can reach out to her at harshita.singh@jagrannewmedia.com.
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